What is "cilnia"

Cilnia is a genus of Mantodea (praying mantis), that is native to Africa.

It contains two species:

• Cilnia chopardi
• Cilnia humeralis

The gens Cilnia was an Etruscan family during the time of the Roman Republic. The gens is best known from Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, a trusted friend and advisor of Augustus, who was famous for his immense wealth and patronage of the arts.